Peter studied hearing aid fitting at the world headquarters of Starkey Labs. He was able to have hands on training with the company’s founder, Bill Austin. He has also undergone advanced training in the smallest, nearly invisible style hearing aids, and has expanded his education by traveling to Denmark to learn directly from European hearing aid manufacturers. He continues to attend conferences and training seminars to stay current on the rapidly evolving world of hearing aid technology.
Latest posts by Peter Lucier, HIS (see all)
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If you’re thinking you have hearing loss, or a loved one has been telling you that you don’t seem to hear as well as you used to – you probably subconsciously know you have hearing issues. At Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast, we get it. No one likes the bad news and taking a hearing test seems to be inviting bad news. Just try to remember that dealing with a problem can actually make the problem non-existent rather than an on going source of stress. Hearing loss can be treated and we’re here to get you through all those issues so you can stop worrying about your hearing and focus on more fun things.
Numerous studies link hearing loss to a variety of health issues like cardiovascular disease, brain tissue loss and sleep apnea, among others. There are other, mental health issues linked to hearing loss that are frequently unrecognized or seen as independent from hearing issues: declining confidence, depression, and social isolation. These issues, if left untended, cause big problems for people with hearing loss and those in their family, social and professional circles and scientist are now linking to dementia. There are many reasons people are reluctant to seek treatment for hearing loss. Meanwhile, the degree of loss worsens and spirals into a host of other problems. Here are common reasons people often delay treating their hearing:
“It’s not me, it’s you!”
Hearing loss has a tendency to sneak up on people, as it is usually a gradual process brought on over time by noise damage. This slow decline in hearing can be easy to miss, causing you to believe you’re fine – it’s the people around you who are mumbling or speaking too quietly. Your first instinct may be to pass the blame of your poor hearing on other people and excuses because it just doesn’t occur to most people that they have a hearing problem.
“Hearing aids make me look old.”
The most recent data suggests nearly 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss and it isn’t always about age. Hearing professionals are seeing patients in their 20s and 30s who’ve experienced hearing loss thanks to MP3players, ear buds and the general level of noise at work and for fun. Hearing loss is not just a problem for the elderly. Now as digital technology allows for hearing aids to become more discrete there have been great strides made in hearing aid styles, from the traditional Behind-The-Ear hearing aid to the nearly unseen Invisible-In-Canal hearing aid. Depending on your level of hearing loss, you can choose a discreet hearing aid, which will remain unseen by others.
“Hearing aids are too expensive.”
Hearing aids have a range of price points, so anyone can find hearing aids to fit within their budget – even if you’re on a fixed income or limited to what your insurance will cover. Our staff will work with you to recommend budget-friendly hearing aids. There are payment plans that you can set up so the finical impact is more gradual. When one considers the risk and damage that hearing loss has on your relationships, career, and mental, emotional and physical health, the value of hearing aids is priceless.
“Hearing aids create more problems than they solve.”
When you are fitted with a new pair of hearing aids it often takes up to six weeks to become acclimated to using them. Part of the discomfort of new hearing aids are that you may not be used to hearing all the sounds you can hear with your new hearing aids that you’ve been unaccustomed to as your hearing has declined. To recommend a great pair of hearing aids, our audiologists at Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast consider your lifestyle needs, hearing loss level, budget, and other personalized factors. This allows us to fit you with a comfortable set of hearing aids. We can then program the hearing aid to suit your daily needs.
Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast
There are lots of reasons people give for avoiding a hearing test, but there are even more reasons why you should get a hearing test. So, stop putting it off and call our team at Hearing Aid Specialists of the Central Coast today for a hearing evaluation that will improve your life.